Interview: The Both

At first, the combination of Ted Leo and Aimee Mann seems incongruous. Leo got his beginnings in the New York hardcore scene, and he founded the mod-punk band Chisel before branching out to pop-punk with the Pharmacists. Mann, meanwhile, is primarily known for ballads, waltzes, and slow-burning pop songs. Excepting their respective beats-per-minute ratios, however, the pairing makes sense: The duo’s self-titled debut, The Both, features Leo and Mann finding common ground in melody, searing guitars, and meticulous songcraft. The A.V. Club spoke with Leo and Mann about their first experiences with dating, adolescent rapping, and each other.[ Click here for more ]